Height-Weight-Speed - 3 --- Slightly below average in terms of prototypical measureables but top-end speed is more than adequate. Possesses massive hands (10 3/8') and average arm length (32 3/8').

Durability - 1 --- Has appeared in all 50 career games and has not suffered any injuries that we are currently aware of.

Intangibles - 2 --- Pronounced: 'TAH-here'. Named a team captain during senior year. Accountable and well respected by coaches and teammates.

Outside Linebacker Specific Traits

Instincts/Recognition - 3 --- Overall diagnostic skills are average. Generally reads his keys and gets a quick beat on the ball. Lacks elite playmaking instincts as a run defender. Displays good discipline and recognition for play-action and misdirection. Still developing in terms of instincts and awareness in underneath zone coverage. Shows above-average instincts and awareness as a pass rusher. Does a nice job of getting hands up in throwing lanes when seeing quarterback start his throwing motion.

Take-on Skills - 4 --- "Will never be a take-on guy. Does play with leverage and has functional strength in the upper body (21 reps best test). However, lacks an elite anchor and can be engulfed by bigger and more massive blockers when locked in a phone booth. Needs to do a better job of learning to absorb and give ground in order to disengage from blocks. "

Range vs. Run - 3 --- Overall range is average. Has some tightness when having to make a sudden change of direction. Displays an adequate closing burst in pursuit. Angles are a bit inconsistent and can do a better job of wading through traffic.

Tackling - 2 --- Fundamentally sound in this area. Not a heavy hitter but tackles with adequate pad level and good leverage. Flashes ability to bring hips and strike as a tackler. Does a nice job of breaking down in the open field to secure tackle. Only time he gets in trouble in the area is when he takes poor angles in pursuit.

3rd Down Capabilities - 3 --- "Displays adequate range in underneath zone coverage. Has some tightness in space, which puts a limit on his ability to match up in man coverage against quicker RBs and more athletic TEs. Times pressures well and flashes above-average body control, suddenness and effective hands. Flashes ability to generate speed-to-power and has an effective push/pull move. Shows ability to bend and shave the edge. Lacks strength and finishing power to be an impact pass-rusher at this point. "

Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash - 4.70 --- Worst: 4.93 - Best OLB: Zach Brown 4.50

3-Cone Drill - 7.14 --- Worst: 7.46 - Best OLB: Bruce Irvin 6.70

20-Yard Shuttle - 4.37 --- Worst: 4.43 - Best OLB: Ronnell Lewis 4.00

Bench Press - 21.0 --- Worst: 12.0 - Best OLB: Ronnell Lewis 36.0

Vertical Jump - 37.0 --- Worst: 29.5 - Best OLB: Demario Davis 38.5

Broad Jump - 124.0 --- Worst: 107.0 - Best OLB: Demario Davis 124.0

Last edited by DJ-B on April 28th, 2012, 2:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Played safety, running back, receiver and tight end as a New Jersey prep. Committed to the Owls and then-head coach Al Golden in 2008, when he played all 12 games, recording seven tackles without any for loss or a sack. Had postseason surgery on his right shoulder. Played all 13 games in ’09, tallying 30-41 ⁄2-0 with two pass breakups and one forced fumble. Switched from jersey No. 31 to No. 2 in ’10, when he started 8-of-12 games outside and totaled 56-7 1⁄2-2 with two pass breakups, one interception and two forced fumbles. Started 12-of-13 games played at SLB in ’11 and recorded 70-13 1⁄2-5 with one pass breakup and four forced fumbles. The non-start was against Temple due defense opening in nickel coverage. Team captain.

Positives:Has large hands. Works to get off blocks — uses his hands well to punch/pull and free himself up. Chases aggressively and has good straight-line speed. Wrap tackler. Plays hard and does not shy from contact. Flashes potential as a blitzer. Played all three downs and has special-teams experience. Solid person and football character — well-respected, self-made leader who puts the time in to improve.

Negatives:Lacks ideal size and bulk — needs to continue getting stronger. Average physicality and tackle strength. Shows some tightness in his hips — is not fluid or sudden changing direction. Unnatural working in reverse.Summary:

A motivated, hardworking overachiever, Whitehead is a lean, competitive, college strong-side linebacker who will have to move to the weak side in the pros. Lacks starter-caliber size and athletic ability but has a good football temperament that could enable him to earn a backup job in a 4-3 and contribute on special teams.

Positives: Weak side linebacker prospect who has shown progress in his game the past two years. Gets depth on pass drops, remains disciplined with assignments and shows a closing burst to the action. Immediately alters his angle of attack, loses no momentum when he must change direction and can turn it on in a single step. Possesses good range, has the ability to go sideline to sideline and flashes suddenness on the field.

Negatives: Average instincts. Really does not make many plays on the ball in coverage. Adequate size yet struggles getting off blocks.

Analysis: Whitehead is an athletic prospect with the ability to run sideline to sideline and make plays in all areas of the field. His speed and agility are enticing, and Whitehead could make a roster as a backup weak side linebacker if he excels on special teams.

Inconsistent analyses here. One says he's undersized, the other says his size is adequate but needs to get off blocks better. I suppose they are consistent in suggesting he needs to develop strength. Lions traded up to get him, so there's something about him they like...

_________________Proud member of the Contract Extension for Schwartz Fan Club.

Played safety, running back, receiver and tight end as a New Jersey prep. Committed to the Owls and then-head coach Al Golden in 2008, when he played all 12 games, recording seven tackles without any for loss or a sack. Had postseason surgery on his right shoulder. Played all 13 games in ’09, tallying 30-41 ⁄2-0 with two pass breakups and one forced fumble. Switched from jersey No. 31 to No. 2 in ’10, when he started 8-of-12 games outside and totaled 56-7 1⁄2-2 with two pass breakups, one interception and two forced fumbles. Started 12-of-13 games played at SLB in ’11 and recorded 70-13 1⁄2-5 with one pass breakup and four forced fumbles. The non-start was against Temple due defense opening in nickel coverage. Team captain.

Positives:Has large hands. Works to get off blocks — uses his hands well to punch/pull and free himself up. Chases aggressively and has good straight-line speed. Wrap tackler. Plays hard and does not shy from contact. Flashes potential as a blitzer. Played all three downs and has special-teams experience. Solid person and football character — well-respected, self-made leader who puts the time in to improve.

Negatives:Lacks ideal size and bulk — needs to continue getting stronger. Average physicality and tackle strength. Shows some tightness in his hips — is not fluid or sudden changing direction. Unnatural working in reverse.Summary:

A motivated, hardworking overachiever, Whitehead is a lean, competitive, college strong-side linebacker who will have to move to the weak side in the pros. Lacks starter-caliber size and athletic ability but has a good football temperament that could enable him to earn a backup job in a 4-3 and contribute on special teams.

Positives: Weak side linebacker prospect who has shown progress in his game the past two years. Gets depth on pass drops, remains disciplined with assignments and shows a closing burst to the action. Immediately alters his angle of attack, loses no momentum when he must change direction and can turn it on in a single step. Possesses good range, has the ability to go sideline to sideline and flashes suddenness on the field.

Negatives: Average instincts. Really does not make many plays on the ball in coverage. Adequate size yet struggles getting off blocks.

Analysis: Whitehead is an athletic prospect with the ability to run sideline to sideline and make plays in all areas of the field. His speed and agility are enticing, and Whitehead could make a roster as a backup weak side linebacker if he excels on special teams.

Inconsistent analyses here. One says he's undersized, the other says his size is adequate but needs to get off blocks better. I suppose they are consistent in suggesting he needs to develop strength. Lions traded up to get him, so there's something about him they like...

Honestly, nobody has probably seen enough of him to really make a detailed analysis , but they moved up to get him , so I think that says a lot about the kid .

April 28th, 2012, 2:29 pm

The Legend

Team President - Rod Wood

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4909Location: WSU

Re: Lions Select Tahir Whitehead - OLB , Temple (Rd 5)

Not only did they trade up to get him - they gave up a future 4th rder which is a higher pick than where Whitehead was taken and an additional 7th round pick. Seemed like the future pick should have been enough. They just traded up again to take Chris Greenwood, Albion!!! Not sure what the trade is however.

Basically with the LBers Lewis and Whitehead they take the spots of Ekejiuba and Carpenter meaning that in the first year they will be asked to contribute on special teams quite a bit. Hogue, Lewis, Whitehead also get the opportunity to make a statement at OLB positions where Levy and Durant are in contract years. If even one of them becomes a starter it saves the Lions some cap space for the next 2-3 years.

Same page as you on this one. While I know nothing about him so cant say I hate the pick.. and the trade was as I stated, likely a bottom 12 of next years rd 4 for the #3 in 5th rnd here so minimal value loss... was this guy really so high on our list (and convinced he wont be there 20 picks later) to trade next years pick?

No ciriticizing here by me, just interested in what the FO has to say about him that prompted the trade up.

Yeah, but just in general I find all the snap judgments ridiculous. How in the world can anyone know NOW if the guy is worth a trade-up or not? The Lions obviously feel he's worth it and at least they've watched him play.

_________________Proud member of the Contract Extension for Schwartz Fan Club.

April 28th, 2012, 3:15 pm

IslandLionsFan

Cheerleader

Joined: August 24th, 2005, 11:12 pmPosts: 25Location: PEI

Re: Lions Select Tahir Whitehead - OLB , Temple (Rd 5)

One thing to keep in mind with the Lions trading away next years 4th rounder is that I would imagine Mayhew is expecting us to get a 4th rounder back with a compensatory pick. Losing Wright, Stanton, Carpenter, and L. Davis and only signing Lacey could even result in an extra 3rd. Food for thought. Love the depth added by this draft and interested to see what QB they sign as a UDFA.

Go Lions!

April 28th, 2012, 7:12 pm

thelomasbrowns

Player of the Year - Offense

Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:54 pmPosts: 2861

Re: Lions Select Tahir Whitehead - OLB , Temple (Rd 5)

"I always laugh a little bit when you get graded a day after the draft and the guys grading you have generally never seen half the players." -Schwartz

_________________"Good teams don't worry about a whole lot of stuff. They travel, they play, they win. And it doesn't matter where they go, what the time block is, all those kinds of things. They never seem to bother teams that play well, and we want to be one of those teams." -Jim Caldwell